FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. How do I register for the Nordiko Extranet?
2. Is methyl bromide gas really dangerous?
3. How do we deal with carbon filters that have been saturated with gas?
4. Isn’t it possible to reuse methyl bromide, after it has been recaptured – why doesn’t Nordiko provide equipment to do this?
5. Am I obliged to recapture fumigation gases, or can I just vent them to atmosphere?
6. How long will it take to extract the gas from inside my fumigated shipping container or other enclosure?
7. What is the latest news from the Montreal Protocol?
8. Can Nordiko Equipment Recapture Sulfuryl Fluoride?
1. How do I register for the Nordiko Extranet?
To register for the Nordiko Extranet please contact us directly to set up an account. Currently all existing clients of Nordiko will be given online access to the extranet, this allows them to gain access to online training, additional product information and specifications and customer specific information. At the discretion of Nordiko access may be given to potential clients or other visitors after contact has been made. Due to the sensitive nature of the information provided on the site we need to ensure that we know who has access to this information.
2. Is methyl bromide gas really dangerous?
The following link to a Material Safety Data Sheet should provide the answer to the question whether methyl bromide is dangerous: http://www.praxair.com/praxair.nsf/d63afe71c771b0d785256519006c5ea1/bd40c55346b4930f85256e5f007e8c2a/$FILE/MethylBromide-Canada.pdf
3. How do we deal with carbon filters that have been saturated with gas?
There are alternative methods available, depending upon local regulations: Treatment of filters with a solution that breaks down the gas into other products that can more safely and readily be disposed of, either as effluent or trade waste.
Filters can then be rinsed and dried for reuse. Disposal of the saturated carbon either in a disposable filter drum, or otherwise, for burial as landfill at an approved facility.
Methyl bromide naturally degrades over time underground. High temperature incineration will effectively address the problem, but is not always available close to fumigation locations.
4. Isn’t it possible to reuse methyl bromide, after it has been recaptured – why doesn’t Nordiko provide equipment to do this?
It is technically possible to do this: apples in New Zealand were fumigated with methyl bromide, which was reused again and again, 30 years ago! Today, simple economics tend to prevail against reuse – regeneration apparatus is relatively capital intensive, when compared with recapture and destruction.
The retail price of methyl bromide varies around the world, but is generally in the range US$5 to $10 per kg. At this price level, it is far cheaper to buy new gas (for approved QPS and CUE purposes) than to provide the equipment to reuse the gas.
Quality aspects are also important: there may be “tainting” of the gas as a result of interactions with different fumigated commodities, and the position of approvals from quarantine authorities for recycled gas – interested in product efficacy – is not yet completely clear. The initial use of the gas is performed in accordance with the label requirements.
Reuse of the gas would not fall under the same label, which is recognised as having an important legal meaning. Unless special arrangements have been made, reuse would involve the use of an unregistered gas.
5. Am I obliged to recapture fumigation gases, or can I just vent them to atmosphere?
Recapture of fumigant gases is “best practice” operation, and results in the optimal environmental solution, as well as a good outcome compared with releasing toxic gases close to a workplace or community. Only certain jurisdictions compel or encourage recapture, although the trend is definitely growing as social awareness of the problems caused by these gases spreads.
Tasmania in Australia and Belgium in Europe have acted in relation to methyl bromide recapture, and US EPA regulations encourage recapture by stipulating more relaxed buffer zones around recapture sites, compared with direct release.
6. How long will it take to extract the gas from inside my fumigated shipping container or other enclosure?
Degassing times vary with a number of factors, including but not limited to: the size of the container or enclosure, the dosage of gas, the target residual gas level, how tightly or loosely the cargo is stowed, the temperature, and whether the gas is extracted through a filter, or diluted to atmosphere. In Nordiko’s experience, in most cases the most substantial proportion of the residual gas can be extracted within an hour or so of commencement. Some highly sorpitive commodities and products can continue to off-gas for very extended time periods (eg mattresses, PVC compounds etc)
7. What is the latest news from the Montreal Protocol?
For latest news on the Montreal Protocol, please visit the Montreal Protocol area of our site. Alternatively browse our News Center for all Updates on Methyl Bromide or the Montreal Protocol.
8. Can Nordiko Equipment Recapture Sulfuryl Fluoride?
Nordiko fumigation and recapture systems are proven at recapturing fumigation gases such as Methyl Bromide and Phosphine. Sulfuryl Fluoride is undergoing consideration for broader fumigation, spatial and potentially in future quarantine and pre-shipment applications, and would benefit from recapture/destruction technology.
This gas presents special challenges, due to its inert characteristics and inorganic nature. Nevertheless Nordiko is advancing its research into recapture technology, so that worker and community health and environmental benefits can be achieved.